Eberle back in for the Oilers; Westgarth adds some punch to Flames

The hard-luck (and banged-up) Edmonton Oilers came to the rink Saturday morning and found out some good news.

Testing a sore knee, Jordan Eberle reported to head coach Dallas Eakins that he was good to go tonight versus the Calgary Flames. The slick winger will resume his place on a line with centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Anton Lander which could be bad news for the Flames considering in his 20 career games played against Calgary, he has had eight goals and 11 assists.

Eberle had twisted his knee on Tuesday in a 5-1 win over the Nashville Predators and had reportedly needed an MRI but Eakins had denied the report. He had tried to test his knee prior to a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday but couldn’t go.

Like the 26th-placed Flames — 28-35-7 —- the Oilers are in the National Hockey League basement (29th with 59 points) and don’t have much left to play for other than pride and job security.

So for Eberle to show he wants to return as soon as possible is a good sign, said Eakins.

“We had a number of guys that have been playing hurt,” he said. “It would have been so easy for them to say, ‘Oh well, we’re out of it. What am I risking? Why should I play?’ I think that says volumes about the group in the room now.

“They want to play … that’s huge for me.”

Back in for the Flames is LW Kevin Westgarth who will be playing the Oilers in Edmonton for the first time since Westgarth was knocked out by Luke Gazdic on March 1. Sitting out is RW T.J. Galiardi.

“We don’t look at this,” said head coach Bob Hartley of the last meeting between the two clubs. “The kid, Gazdic, got him with a good one. Westy, it doesn’t change his approach. We gave him a break (Friday against the Predators) to get (Kenny) Agostino in. Tonight, we want Westy back.”

Also in for Calgary tonight is G Karri Ramo who missed the last 15 games with a knee injury.

“It’ll probably take the first few minutes to get his timing back,” Hartley said. “But with the way that he works, I have no worries.”

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